Card punching machine



July 11, 1939. F. 1.. FULLER CARD PUNCHING MACHINE 9-sh ets 5 1 Dec FIG.I.

A'T'roRN CARD PUNCHING MACHINE Filed Dec. 17, 1936 9 Sheets-Sheet 2 ATTORNEY )NVENTOR July 11, 1939. F. FULLER 2,155,249

CARD PUNCHING MACHINE Filed Dec. 17, 1956 9 Sheets-Sheet s ATTORNEY .F. L. FULLER 2,165,249

CARD PUNGHING MACHINE July 11, 1939.

Filed Dec. 17, 1936 9 Sheets-Sheet 4 PISA.-

ATTORNEY July 11, 1939. F. FULLER CARD PUNCHING MACHINE Filed Dec. 17, 1936 9 Sheets-Sheet 5 f iNifzNyR ATTORN EY July 11, 1939. F. L. FULLER CARD PUNCHING MACHINE Filed Dec. 1'7, 1936 9 Sheets-Sheet 6 IIIIIIIIIIIII/IIIIIIIIIIIIIIII);IIIII f ,iNVENf R ATTORNEY July 11, 1939. F. FULLER CARD PUNCHING MACHINE Filed Dec. 17, 1956 9 Sheets-Sheet 8 FIG".

lNVENT-OR M (f/1A0 M I ATTORNEY July 11,1939. F. L. FULLER cum runcnme MACHINE L 9 Sheets-Sheet 9 Filed Dec. 1'7, 1936 JWENVEE/QQ m ATTORNEY Patented July 11, 1939 CARD PUNCHIN G MACHINE,

Frederick L. Fuller, West Orange, N. 1., assignor to International Business Machines Corporation, New York, N. Y., a corporation of New York Application December 17, 1936, Serial No. 116,251

13 Claim.

This invention relates to accounting machines such as cash registers, or machines performing some or all of the functions of such machines as are now common in the market, and the invention relates to the incorporation of a punching mechanism in such machines in such a manner .that for each operation of the machine a card will be punched so as to be capable of controlling tabulating and statistical machines of a type now on the market.

While such combinations have previously been devised the objects of the presentinvention relate namely to improvements in'the card hantiling, card punching and locking mechanisms for such machines.

In connection with the card handling mechanism it is an object to devise a simple and efficient card feeding device which will feed the cards with certainty and to accomplish eflicient card feeding operations by mechanisms which are simple to construct and positive in operation.

-An object in connection with the card punching devices is to provide a simple punching device which comprises differentially set slides' 5 slotted so as to receive the cardto be punched and carrying at opposite sides of the slot a die hole anda cooperating punching pin.

A still further object in connection with the punching mechanism is to devise an improved means for causing a positive operation of the punch pins by the machine and which includes a parallel operating mechanism which insures the even depression of the punch pins irrespective of where they have been positioned.

'3 A still further object is to provide a motor with a manual control means such as a motor release bar for controlling the operation of the motor so that the latter can operate the machine. A still further object is to prevent the operation of the motor release bar unless a clerks key has been operated, which latter assigns a designation to the sale and transaction.

In connection with the locking mechanisms for the machine it is an object of the invention to devise a common lock for the clerks keys which is rendered effective when the supply of cards in the supply hopper is exhausted (2) when a card fails to feed from the supply hopper to the punching mechanism, or is improperlypositioned in the punching mechanism, ,and (3) when the storage hopper is overfilled and beyond its normal capacity.

Due to the provision of an interlock between the clerks keys and motor release bar .the lock a ing of the former und y of t e i cums ances noted above effectively locks the motor release bar as well.

While the invention has been shown in connection with a cash register any or all of the improvements described herein may be utilized 5 in connection with a variety of machines, and the embodiment is to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive.

In said drawings:

Fig. 1 is a front elevation of the exterior of the l0 machine Fig. 2 is a transverse sectional view taken on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged view in side elevation showing particularly the keyconstruction and .1 parts of the differential mechanism shown in operatedposition; T

Fig. '4 is a plan view of the machine showing the relationship between the various units therein and is taken on the lined-d of Fig. 2; 12

Fig. 5 is a longitudinal"sectional view of. the card feeding mechanism and is taken on the line 5-5 of Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 is a front view of the card feeding mechanism and is taken on the line 6-6 of Fig. 4; :3

Fig. 7 is a detail view in plan showing certain of the operating connections;

Fig. 8 is a transverse sectional view of the card feeding mechanism and is taken on the line 8-8 of Fig. 4; 30

Fig. 9 is a plan view of one of the tabulating cards showing by way of example the manner in which perforations are made therein to designate v certain data relating to a sale;

Fig. 10 is a sectional view of the card feeding 5 mechanism and is taken on the line Ill-l0 of Fig.

Fig. 11 is a view in side elevation taken on the line |l-H of Fig; 4 and shows the clutch mechanism for causing the operation of the machine; 40

Fig. 12 is a view similar to Fig. 11 but showing the parts in operated position to effect the engagement of the clutch;

Fig. 13 is a view in side elevation taken on the line l3l3 of Fig. 4 and shows particularly the 5 interlock between the clerk's keys and the motor release bar;

Fig. 14 is a detail view of parts of an interlocking mechanism.

Manipulative entry control devices Writs, numeral ll designating the group for en- .55;

tering dimes. and numeral l2 designating the group for entering dollars. a

In addition to these keys there is a key l3 designated "Cash", at key l4 designated "Paid out", a'key I 5 designated "Recd on acct), a key l9 designated ,No sale and a key l1 designated Chg." This group of keys'comprises the transaction control keys.

For the selective entry of amounts according to a clerk's classification there is provided an "A" clerk's key l9, and a "B" clerk's key l9.

The keys of the groups of amount keys are dey pressed according to the amount to be entered,

is part of the main operating member. '65

the clerk's keys according to which the clerk enters the amount and the transaction keys according 'to the type of transaction, as is well known and understood.

Each oi the keys selected for operation is manually depressed prior to an operation of the machine and a key is locked in its depressed position by a construction now to be explained in detail for the group of cents keys l9, although it is to be understood that a similar construction is utilized for the other groups of keys.

Suitably attached to the left side frame plate 2| and the right side frame plate 22 (Figs. 2 and 4) is a U-shaped plate 23 to which is attached a transverse cover plate 24 (Figs. 2 and 3) for the groups ohkeys. The keys in each line from front toback are off-set laterally as shown in Fig. l to provide for a convenient manual manipulation and to also permit the lateral spacing of their respective operating members, to be referred to in detail hereinafter. The stem 01' each key passes through a related slot in the cover plate 24 and is further guided by a slot 25 (Fig. 3) in the U-shaped plate 23. With the exception of the center key of a single line the key stem is also guided by slots 29 and 21 in the U-shaped plate 23. Each key is held in its normal outward position by a related spring 28 (Fig. 3) but when a key is depressed inwardly a notch 29 (Fig. 3) thereof is caught by a detent plate 39 of the respective bank of keys. Each detent plate is carried by a pair of arms 3|, 32 (Figs. 2 and 3) pivotally mounted at 33 to projecting ears of the U-shaped plate 23.

- The detent plate 39 is so constructed that it is of the flexible type, i. e., an erroneously depressed key may be released by merely depress ing another key in the same group. It is further understood that there is a detent plate 39 for each group of keys.

Key releasing devices It is, of course, necessary to release the depressed keys after an operation of the machine and to this end as best shown in Fig. 3 each detent plate 39 has secured thereto a bracket plate 34 to which is pivoted at 36 a spring urged pawl 35. A coil spring 31 urges the pawl 35 counterclockwise so that a curved portion 39 normally (Fig. 2) hooks under a right angled bar 39 which During the initial depression of bar 39 the pawl 35 will be rocked clockwise idly until the curved portion 33 is free of the bar 39 whereupon the spring 31 will cause the pawl 35 to take the position shown in Fig. 3. When the bar 39 has been fully depressedand then returned the bar 39 will in its elevation strike the pawl 35 elevating the pawl 35 since the line of force acts through the center of the pivot 39. This will cause therocking of the detent plate about-its pivot disengaging the same from the notch 29 of the depressed key releasing it for its return to normal by its spring 23. Upon continued elevation of the pawl a. straight edge 40 (Fig. 3) thereof will strike a stationary rod 4| and upon continued elevation of the pawl 35 by the bar 39 the pawl 39 will rock clockwise until its curved portion 39 is free of the bar 39, whereupon spring 31 will be eflective to rock the pawl 35 to its normal position shown in Fig. 2.

. Key locking devices It is further desirable to lock the undepressed keys after a machine operation is initiated and to prevent an operation of the machine when a key is partially depressed.

For each detent plate 39 there is provided a bell crank loosely pivoted on the rod 4l consisting of an'arm 42, normally engaging a related detent plate 39, and an arm 43. The arm 43 has a projection 44 and the bar 39 is adapted to pass in front of an arcuate edge of said projection. thereby locking the related detent plate 39 to prevent a depression of a key not selected for operation after a machine operation is initiated.

The projection 44 also has an arcuate edge 45 which is adapted to pass beneath the bar 39 wherever a key is being depressed and locks-the bar 39 until a key is fully depressed. Hence the machine cannot be operated with a key partially depressed.

Main operating bar The main operating bar previously referred to comprises a pair of arms 53 and 54 (Figs. 3 and 4) attached to a rock shaft, 55 and between which arms is carried bar 39. The shaft 55. as will be later explained, has connections to an operating mechanism so that arms 53 and 54 are positively rocked by-the shaft 55.

Diflerential mechanism As is best shown in Figs. 2 and 3 pivoted at 99 to each key stem is a related key cam 91 having a coupling notch 99 engageable with a coupling bar 69 when the associated key is depressed. The coupling bar 69 is part of the operating member and is carried by rearward extensions of the arms 53 and 54 (Fig. 4). Each group of keys has a related series of key cams 91 so that a selected one may be coupled to the coupling bar 99 and rocked individually counterclockwise by the depression of the arms 53 and 54.

Each key cam 91 is guided at its rearmost end by slots 19 (Fig. 2) in a stationary uide plate 1! and when the selected cam plate 91 has been rocked to its extreme position by the bar 99 .a notch 12 thereof will be received by a rod 13. The key cams 61 normally rest upon the. shaft 55, as shown in Fig. 2.

When a selected key cam 91 is shifted rearwardly and held in shifted position by virtue of the locking of the related depressed key a dwell or entrance 14 of a cam slot 15 will register with a rod 19 of a differentially rockable frame. Fig. 2 shows the construction of the cam slots 15 of the key cams 91 for the tens denominational group in which it will be observed that the cam slots 15 are graduated so that the rod 19 may be rocked differentially when a key cam 91 is rocked and commensurate with the digital representation of the key depressed. It is obvious that only the particular key cam 91 selected will be actuated, the others of the same group remaining in normal position.

As is best shown in Figs. 2 and 7, the rod 19 arcane l is' carried by a u-shapedv frame 11 loosely moimtedon a shaft 13; Attached to a the frame" is a tens entering segment 10. .The rod for the cam plates-51 osthe cents group is carried by a 'U-shaped frame oosely mounted on the shaft 10 and to the framell there is connected a bail 32 to which is attached the units entering segment 33. The rod 04 for the dollars group is carried bya U-shaped frame 05 loosely mounted on shaft 13-.and to said frame there is secured a dollars entering, segment 05.

The transaction keys I3-I1 are adapted by means of a differential mechanism of the type Just described to rock a frame 09 (Fig. '1) and through a cross-over ball 90 diflerentially set a segment 0|.

The key cam 51 of the A clerk's key is adapted to rock a frame 01 which is secured to the shaft 10 and to the shaft 13 there .is secured a segment 92. The key cam 51 of the 13" clerk's key will not rock the frame 01.

The segments 19, 03 and 05 usualin cash registers so-that they can set the usual type wheels and actuate totalizers. In the present machine they have connections to be later described so as to set a punching mechanism to punch a card with an indication of the amount of the sale. The segment 9| is utilized to set a punching mechanism to punch a card to indicate the type of transaction and the segment 92 is utilized to set a punching mechanism to punch a card to indicate that the A" clerk operated the machine, since the punching mechanism will normally punch a designation for the B" clerk.

' Motor drive The motor I (Fig. 4) rotates a pinion I25 secured to the armature shaft and said pinion meshes with a gear I21 to which is secured a pinion I20 in mesh with agear I29 secured to a drive shaft I30 to which is secured a ratchet wheel I3I. The gear and pinion drive from the motor to the ratchetwheel comprise a speed reduction drive. Through a clutch mechanism now to be described a. shaft I32 is given a single revolution for each operation of the machine.

Referring to Fig. 13 at the right end of the machine there is provided a motor-release bar I33 which is slidably mounted by a pair of studs I34, I35. When themotor bar is depressed its free end by a cooperation with a stud I35 carried by a slidably mounted link I31 depresses said link. The link I31 has a shoulder engaging a stud I30 carried by an arm I39 securedto a release shaft I 40 so that the latter is rocked by the depression of the motor release bar I33.

To the shaft I40 there is secured an arm I (see Fig. 11) carrying a pin I42 in engagement with an arm' I43 loosely mounted on the shaft I40. A spring I44 is attached to the stud I42 and also to a stud carried by the arm I43 so as to hold the arm I43 against the stud I42. The arm I43 has a pin and slot connection I41 to a bell crank I45 which is adapted to close contacts I45. Through the connection Just described the contacts I45 are closedwhen shaft I40 is rocked thereby electrically connectingthe motor I25 to the current supply S, as shown in Fig. 11. -The armature shaft will thereby rotate the ratchet wheel I3I through the speed reduction drive just described.

Loosely mounted on the shaft I32 is a disk I40 and pivoted at I12 on the disk I40 is a clutch arm I49 provided with a clutch tooth I50.

side arm a 3 l 7 The clutch arm I49 carries a pin I52 adjacent are of the form verse action. This action will also restore toggle 3 Alongside the .clutch m m is a shorter arm I5I, lacking the clutch tooth also pivoted at I12;

anarcuate edge of arm "I. The free end of arm I" isconnected to a toggle member I53 5 by a link I54, the toggle member I53 being pivoted upon disk I40 at I55. The opposite end of the toggle member I53 remote from its pivot' I55 is connected to a springelement I55. The action of spring I55 is such that it tends to hold clutch tooth I50 out of engagement with the clutch teeth of the ratchet wheel I3I or allow It to engage when toggle member I53 is shifted.

For the purpose of effecting the clutching action an arm I51 is connected to shaft I40 and coacts with a pin I50 carried by the arm I5I. When the arm I5I is rocked by the rocking of the arm I51 the arcuate edge of arm I5I will be moved away from the pin I52 of the clutch arm I49. A spring I59 anchored to the plate I40 and to an extension I50 of the clutch arm I49 will rock'the clutch arm and cause the clutch tooth I50 of the arm I49 to engage with a tooth of the ratchet wheel I3I which is now revolving. This action shifts the parts from the position shown in Fig. 11 to the position shown in Fig. 12. The spring I59 acts to hold the clutch tooth I50 in engagement with the ratchet wheel I3I. Disk I40 will, thereupon 'be driven counterclockwise and at the termination of the counterclockwise movement a tail I 52 of the clutch arm I49 will strike a fixed stud I 53 thereby rocking the clutch arm I49 to effect the disengagement of the clutch tooth I50 from the ratchet wheel I3I by a remember I53 to its normal position as, shown in Fig. 11.

The plate I45 is preferably mounted on a disk I54, secured to the shaft I32, by pin and slot connections I55, I55 and connected to each other by springs I51. This construction is provided to take up shocks due to starting from a position of restand the sudden stopping of the rotation of disk I 40. The clutch mechanism just described is fully described in patent to F. Lee et al., No. 1,976,618, dated October 9, 1934.

The disk I54 has a notch I50 received by a stud I59 carried by an extension I10 of the arm I43. When the arm I43 is rocked, as previously explained, the stud I59 will be-moved out of engagement with the notch I50 of the disk I54 to unlock the latter.

A safety disk "I is carried by the disk I40 by the pivot I55, the pivot I12 of the clutch arm I49 and the arm I5I, and a screw I13, but separated therefrom. The safety disk I1I is provided with a cam edge I14. The latter coacts with a lug I15 of the arm I51 to rock the arm I51, shaft I40, and the motor release bar I33 to normal position after the clutch engagement. A concentric edge of the safety disk prevents the motor release bar from again being depressed during the operation of the machine. Hence the motor release bar I33 cannot be held down during the operation of the machine. Rocking of the arm I51 to normal will, of course, through the arm I43 and spring I44 tend to rock arm I43 to open contacts I45 to open the circuit of motor I25, 'but the engagement of the stud I59 with the concentric edge of disk I 40 will keep arm I43 shifted to retain contacts I45 closed. for a complete revolution of disk I48 and therefore, shaft I32. Rocking of arm I M will merely stretch spring I44.

As is best shown in Figs. 4 and 13 to the shaft 75 I32 there is secured a crank arm I83 connected by a link I82 to an arm I8I secured to the shaft 85. As the arm I88 rotates a half revolution the link I82 is drawn to the right causing shaft 55 to rotate counterclockwise and then clockwise as the arm I88 completes its rotation. In this manner arms 53 and 54 are rocked downwardly and then upwardly.

Card feeding devices The arm 53 carriesa stud I83 (Figs. 6 and 18) engaging a slot in a slidably mounted link I84 to which is attached at its lower end a bracket I85 carrying a stud I88 fitting in a slot I31 of a segment I88 which is pivoted at I88.

As best shown in Figs. 6 and 18 the segment I88 meshes with a gear I88.attached to a shaft I9I. The shaft I8I has pinned thereto a pair of pinions I92 meshing with rack teeth I83 formed at the bottom of a slidably mounted card carrier I84.

The cards I95 (see Fig. 5) to be punched are placed in a supply hopper I88 and upon such cards the usual presser plate I91 rests so that the lowermost card rests upon a picker I98 carried by the card carrier I94. The shoulder of the picker I88 engages theleft edge of the bottom card so that movement of the carrier to the right effected by segment I88 and the gear drive just dmcribed will feed the card to the right. As the card emerges from the magazine I88 its leading edge passes into a card throat I98 and between two pairs of rollers 288 (see Fig. 8) which are normally in contact with each but are now separated by means now to be described.

The shaft I9l (Figs. 5 and 10) carries at its end a pinion 28I meshing with a segment 282 pivoted at 283 and carrying a pin 284 engaging a slot 285 in a slidably mounted rack 286. The gear teeth 281 of the latter (Figs. 5 and 8) mesh with a pinion 288 attached to a gear 288 which meshes with a pinion 2I8 attached to a gear 2. The shaft 2I2 which carries the lower rollers is fixed in the framework and carries at one end a pinion 2 I3 meshing with the gear 2| I (see Fig. 8). The shaft 2I4 which carries the upper rolls has a pinion 2I5 meshing with the pinion 2I3 but a pair of arms 2I6 pivoted on a rod 2I1 carry said shaft 2 and a spring 2I8 (Figs. 5 and 6) connected to each arm 2I8 urges the engagement of the rollers. The neck 286 carries a by-pass pawl 2I9 (Fig. 5) adapted to strike a stud 228 carried by a double arm 22I the upper arm being provided with a stud 222 engaging an arm 223 secured to the rod 2 I 1. The rocking of the double arm 22I by the pawl H9 in the initial movement of rack 286 will rock shaft 2I1'and by the arms 2I6 the rollers 288 will be disengaged and such disengagement will be retained by the latch arm 224 (Fig. 5) which engages a shoulder 225 of one of the arms 2I6 during the time the card passes between the rollers 288.

Punching mechanism The present machine is provided with a punching mechanism for punching the amount of the sale, the type of transaction, the clerk operating the machine and other fixed data comprising as shown in an example of a punched card in Fig. 9 the code number identifying the store, the department, month and day. The card to be punched is preferably of the type shown in the patent to C. D. Lake, No. 1,772,492, dated August 12, 1938. The rectangular perforations are made in columns, one in each column. Its location in the column indicates the digital value. l br example, the amount punched represents 8.40. The type of transaction is indicated by numbers. 0 indicating 'fNo sale". 1, "Charge". 'etc., and the number code is also applied and the designation of the clerk.

As best shown in Figs. ,2 and .5 each of the segments 18. 83, 88, 8| and 82 is connected to a bell-crank shaped segment 23I. by a link 232 and each segment "I meshes with a rack slide 233. Each slide has a longitudinal slot 234 between which the card to be punched. Attached to the side of each rack slide 233 at each part above and below the slot is a plate 235 which gives additional thickness to the slide 233 andboth the latter and the plate 235 provide a rectangular die aperture 238 in the lower part ofthe slide. The upper part of the slide and attached plate 235 is also provided with a rectangular aperture receiving a rectangular punch pin 231.

It is explained that for the amount keys, transaction keys and clerks keys that the bar 88 will 1 rock the selected cam plate 81' and the cam slot 15 in the selected cam plate 81 will rock the. related frame and segment. Through the links 232 and segments 23I the rack slides 233 are moved differentially so as to position the punch pins 231 laterally over the card to the proper column position. Near the extreme rocked position of the cam plate a dwell 238 of the cam slot 15 will be ineifective to rock the associated frame and will permit slides 233 to be stationary. At this time the punch pins are depressed by mechanism now to be described.

It is also explained that the punch pin 231 for the clerks slide is normally set to punch a designation representing the 'B, clerk and is shifted under control of the "A clerk's key to designate on the card that the A" clerk operated the machine. 1

A shaft 258 (Figs. 2, 4, 5 and 8) is carried by parallel side frames 25I, 252. v A punch operating frame plate comprises a bottom plate 253 and two integral side plates 254 and 255 both of the latter being slotted at 256 (Figs. 2 and 5) to receive the shaft 258 and said frame is adapted to be moved up and down by a straight motion. by a parallel mechanism now to be described.

Attached to the operatingshaft I32 is a box cam 251 (Fig. 2) receiving a roller 258 of reciprocable link 259 which at its left end is provided with a slot 268 receiving the shaft 258. The extension 28I of the link 259 is slotted. to receive a pin 262 of a bell crank 263 securedto a sleeve 264 overlying the shaft 258. The bell crank 263 carries a pin 265 receiving a notch formed in the integral side plate 254. To the sleeve 264 there is secured a bell crank 266 (Fig. 4) similar to the bell crank 263 and having a similar connection to the other side plate 255.

In a similar manner a lower extension of the link 258 has a pin and slot connection 261 (Fig.

'2) to a bell crank 268 secured to the shaft 258 and which has a pin and slot connection 289 to the side plate 254 (see Fig. 2). An arm 218 (Fig. 4) similar to the arm 268 is also secured to the shaft 258 and has a similar pin and slot connection to the'side plate 255. Hence the operating frame is held upwardly at four points and depressed at four points by a parallel movement until the bottom edge of the plate 253 engages the punch pins 231 and thereafter forces them through the card and into the die holes 238. Each punch pin has a projection 2 (Fig. 2) overlying punch retracting bars 212 (Figs. 2 and 5) carried by the frame to hold the punch pins upwardly for free feeding of the card in the slot 234 and for retracting the punch pins after the punching operation.

An aligning bar 213 (Fig. '2) carried by the operating frame engages aligning notches 214 of the slides 233 tov-align the latter prior to punching operations.

As best shown in Figs. 4 and 8 the side plate 265 carries a pin 215 passing through a slot in the side plate 252 and into a slidably mounted card stop 216 so as to depress the latter into the path of the card now being fed so as to engage with the leading edge of the card as its feeding operation is terminated. At the same time a pin 211 (see Fig. 5 only) carried by the operating frame will engage an extension of the latch 224 to rock it and unlatch the sets of rollers 200 which were previously disengaged. The card is now firmly held by the rollers and after the punching operation the bars 212 will retract the punch pins 231 by the elevationof the punch frame caused by cam 251 and during this elevation the aligning bar 213 is raised and also the card stop 216 freeing the card for further feeding operations now to be eifected by the sets of rollers 200.

It is pointed out that when the segment 202 has been rocked through an angle and slide 206 has been shifted tothe right the pin 204 will be at the upper end of the slot 205. The opening of the slot is formed with a. dwell 226 concentric with the pivot 203 so that in further rocking the segment 202 the pin 204 will coact with the dwell 226 in the slot 205 so that the rack slide 206 is not moved during this time and at which time the punching operation is effected. This is of no consequence when the punch operating frame is depressedas rollers 200 are separated but after their engagement rack 206 is not moved during the initial restoration of segment 202 so that the rollers 200 do not feed the card until after the punch operating frame has been elevated. Thereafter rollers 200 rotate reversely by the restoration of the rack slide 206 to feed the card from the punching mechanism to a storage hopper 218. Of course, during this time the various parts of the cash register are restored and the keys are unlocked and returned to normal.

Means for punching fixed data .the proper setting of the slides for the desired designations. The slides 280 are preferably held by the usual aligning pawls 284 (Fig. 2). The door 28I gives access to the cards in the storage hopper while door 285 (see Fig. 1) gives access to the supply hopper I96.

Interlock between motor release bar and clerks keys thereof will engiil e tension of a spring 290. Preferably each of the arms 206 is provided with a hook "I normally catching beneath the bar 39 to lock said bar. Since the depressed clerks key is latched in depressed position the'hook 29I will be retained removed from the bar 39. When the clerks key is unlatched the hook 2! by the spring 290 will again catch over the bar 39 when it is returned to normal.

As shown in Figs. 5, 6 and 10 one of said arms 286 has pinned thereto an extension 292 having a pin and slot connection to arm 293 attached 'to a rock shaft 294 which is rocked by the depression of a clerks key.

To the shaft 294 there is secured an arm 295 (see Fig; 13) connected to a-slidably mounted locking member 296 having its lug 291 normally underlying a shoulder 296 of the link I31, and said lug 291 is removed from the shoulder when a clerks key is depressed thereby unlocking the motor release bar I33.

Means for locking clerks keys and motor release bar when supply of cards is exhausted As best shown in Fig. 10 when the last card is fed out of the supply hopper I96 the card will be removed from a feeler 306 projecting through a hole in the bottom of the card supply hopper I96 and projectibie through a hole in the presser plate I91. Said feeler is carried by an arm 299 pivoted at 300 and urged upwardly by a spring 30I to project through a hole in the presser plate I91 so that a lug 302 of a link 303 connected to the arm 299 will now engage the concentric edge a tin extension as of the re- 'lated arm 266 to rock the arm 266 against the 304 of a plate 305 attached to the shaft 294, and

which in the meantime has been rocked a slight extent clockwise. When the depressed clerk's key is unlatched shaft 294 will be rocked counterclockwise to normal and since lug 302 is now free of the edge 304 of the plate 305, the link 303 will be elevated by the spring 30I. The lug 302 is now adjacent the left straight edge of plate 305 locking shaft 294 against a clockwise movement necessary in depressing a clerk's key. Since neither clerk's key can be depressed it cannot release the motor bar I33 and the latter cannot be operated until the supply of cards is replenished in the hopper I96.

Means for preventing operation of motor release bar or clerks key if card has not been properly fed The machine is preferably supplied with an interlocking mechanism which will prevent the depression of any of the clerks keys and therefore retain themotor release bar locked in the event that a card has not been properly fed in the punching mechanism, or if the card is fed but is improperly placed in the punching position the same locking mechanism will be effective.

Referring particularly to Fig. 5, an arm 301 secured to a sleeve 309 carries at its free end a stud 309 adapted to be engaged by a pin 3I0 carried by the card stop 216 and therefore said arm is rocked during the punching operation. To the sleeve 306 there is secured an arm 3| I (see Fig. 6).

On the shaft 3I2 which lodsely carries the sleeve 308 there is loosely mounted a double arm which comprises a feeler portion 3I3 and an integral extension 3I4. A spring 3I5 has one end thereof connected to a stud 3I6 of the arm 3 and to a stud 3" carried by the extension 3 I4, the tension of the spring causing the lower edge of the arm 3| I to engage the pin 3". By virtue of this construction, arm 3 and the feeler M3 and the extension 3i4 move together as a unit when the arm 331 is rocked in the manner previously described. The free end of the feeler 3l3 during its rocking movement is adapted to engage with a card fed in the punching mechanism and if a card has been fed and properly presented therein the movement of the feeler 3 I 3 will be stopped but the arm 331 will continue to be rocked and in this operation spring 3i5 will merely be stretched. In this event, a stud 3l3 carried by the extension 3 will not be raised sufllciently so as to engage and rock one arm of a bell crank 3i3 secured to a shaft 323.

If a card has not been properly fed or properly positioned in the punching mechanism the teeler 3l3 will rock sufllciently in the absence of the cooperation with a card so that the pin 3 l 8 will now engage the bell crank M3 and rock the shaft 323.

Referring particularly to Fig. 5, it will be seen that the rocking of the shaft 323 in a counterclockwise direction will rock an arm 32! secured to the shaft so as to move the projection 322 of said arm away from the stud 323. This will per mit a spring 324 to rock the arm 325 which carries the stud 323 so that extension 323 of the arm 325 will engage the concentric surface 321 of a locking plate 328 secured to the shaft 234 (see Fig. 14).

In view of the previous depression of the clerk's key the shaft 234 has been rocked slightly in a clockwise direction but after the termination of the operation of the machine the shaft 234 is rocked slightly in a counterclockwise direction so that spring 324 (Fig. 5) will be eflective to move the extension 326 so as to coact with the left edge of the locking plate 323 thereby locking the shaft 234. As previously described, locking of this shaft against a clockwise movement will prevent the depression of a clerk's key and therefore retain the motor release bar I33 locked.

Means for locking clerks keys and motor release bar when storage hopper is filled The machine is preferably supplied with a mechanism which will determine when the storage hopper has been filled with punched cards and will cause the clerks key to be locked and thereby the motor release bar locked against operation.

This mechanism is best shown in Figs. 4 and 5 wherein it will beseen that a link 323 connects the arm 221 and a bell crank, comprising an arm 333 and arm 33I, which is loosely mounted upon a shaft 332. Fixed to the shaft 332 is an arm 333 and a second shorter arm 334. Pivoted upon a stud 335 on the arm 33l of the bell crank is a plate 336 which is formed with a bayonet shaped 'slot 331. A spring 338 is connected to an extension of the plate 336 and also to a stud 343 carried by the arm 334. The pin 343 normally fits in the vertical portion of the bayonet slot 331 and the tension in the spring 333 keeps it in'such position so that by virtue of the above connection, it will be seen that the bell crank 333, arms 333 and 334 and plate 336 move as a unit under certain conditions.

During the initial operation of the machine, the pawl 2l3 will rock the arm 22l as previously described shifting the link 323 to the right and rocking the elements comprising the atoredescribed unit counterclockwise thereby moving a roller 3 carried at the extremity of the arm 333 into the storage hopper 218. Eventually the pawl 2|3 will pass by the arm 22l permitting a spring 342 connected to the bell crank 333 to return the unit to the normal position shown in Fig. 5. The unit is rocked counterclockwise for each card feeding operation and as the cards I35 are fed into the storage hopper 213. the height of the stack increases until eventually in the counterclockwise rocking of the unit the roller 3 will contact with the top surface of the uppermost card I35 .in the stack 213. As the height 0! the stack increases, the arm 333 will be held immovable for a longer time as the unit is rocked in a counterclockwise direction and the rocking of the bell crank 333-33i in a counterclockwise direction will draw the plate 336 downwardly so that the horizontal portion of the bayonet slot 331 will approach the pin 343 and the downward movement of the plate 333 independently of the am 333 is increased as the height of the stack of cards increases. Eventually, the pin 343 wil be in full registration with the horizontal portion of the bayonet slot' 331 permitting the tension in the.

against movement and, therefore, the clerks keys 1 and the motor release bar will be locked against operation until the supply of punched cards is removed from the hopper 21-8.

Whenever the machine becomes locked under the two circumstances previously described, that is, due to the improper feeding of a card, or the failure of a card to be fed, or the filling of the storage hopper 213 the parts may be reconditioned for subsequent locking operations by manually grasping a stud 345 (see Figs. 4 and 6) which is carried by the bell crank 3l3 and moving it to the right as shown in Fig. 6.

This operation will cause shaft 323 to be rocked and cause the high portion 322 (Fig. 5) of the arm 32l to cam the lock arm 325 to normal position.

Also in this operation of the machine, the arm 344 (see Fig. 5) by its coaction with the stud 343 will rock the plate 336 about its pivotal point 335 to cause the vertical portion of the bayonet slot 331 to register with the pin 343. Thereupon the spring 333 will be effective to cause the vertical portion of the bayonet slot 331 to register with the pin 343 at which time the parts are in the normal position shown in Fig. 5. Obviously, it is necessary for the restoration of said parts to normal to previously withdraw the cards I95 out of the overfilled storage hopper 213.

Access to the stud 345 is had by opening of the door 28L If it is desired at any time to lock the machine against operation all that is necessary is to cause by the stud 345 the rocking of the bell crank 3i3 so as to rock the shaft 323 and cause the locking of the machine in the manner previously described. Thus a very convenient means of locking the machine against operation when desired is afforded, and such access may only be had by the opening of the door 23l. If

so desired, the latter may be provided with a suit-' able lock which is retained by persons authorized to have access to such locking lnstrumentalities.

While there has been shown and described and pointed out the fundamental novel features of the invention as applied to a single modification it will be understood that various omissions and substitutions and changes in the form and details of the device illustrated and in its operation may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention. It is the intention, therefore, to be limited only as indicated by the scope of the following claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In a punching. machine, in combination, a plurality of sets of manipulative devices, selected ones of each set being pre-set manually prior to a punching operation, a plurality of differentially positioned punch pin carrying bars, one for each set of manipulative devices, and each provided with a punch pin and a cooperating die hole between which a card is positioned, a set of cam plates for each set of manipulative devices, the cam plate of each set having graduated cam slots and each cam plate being connected to the related manipulative device for selection thereof, a differentially positionable frame connected to each punch pin carrying bar and carrying a rod cooperating with the cam slot of the cam plate selected by the pre-set manipulative device, common means for rocking the selected cam plates, and means for operating the punch pins to effect a punching operation.

2. In a punching machine, in combination, a plurality of punch pin carrying bars each provided with a single punch pin and a correlated die hole oppositely disposed of a card receiving slot in the bar, a differentially rockable frame for each bar and connected thereto, aplurality of sets of pre-set manipulative devices, a plurality of sets of cam plates, each set having graduated slots for rocking the related frame when the cam plate selected by the pre-set key is rocked, a common operating means for rocking the selected cam plates, a driving mechanism for said machine, a coupling means for said operating meansand driving mechanism, and means operated by one of said sets of manipulative devices for rendering the coupling means eifective.

3. In a punching machine, in combination, a plurality of bars, each provided with a single punching pin and a correlated die aperture oppositely disposed of a card receiving slot in the bar, a card feeding mechanism for feeding a card to be punched from a supply hopper in the slots of said bars to a predetermined position, a plurality of sets of manipulator devices and differential mechanism controlled thereby for positioning said bars, common operating means for operating the punch pins, the differential mechanism and card feeding mechanism, a driving mechanism, manipulative means for causing the coupling of the driving mechanism with said operating means, interlocking means for preventing the operation of the manipulative means unless one of said sets of manipulative devices is operated, and means cooperating with cards in said hopper for causing the locking of the last named set of manipulative devices upon the absence of a card in said hopper.

4. A punching machine comprising a plurality of slotted differentially settable bars, each pro-.- vided with a single punch pin and a cooperating die hole opposite a card receiving slot, an operating means for said plurality of punch pins comprising a bar positioned over said pins and having integral side plates, two pairs of bell cranks connected to said side plates and arranged to depress said bar equally at four spaced positions,

. tioned over said pins and having integral upstanding side plates, a shaft fitting in slots of said side plates, two pairs of bell cranks mounted on said shaft, each pair being connected together for simultaneous movement and spaced for a connection to said side plates, and means for rocking said bell cranks to cause an equal movement of said bar at four spaced positions.

6. In a punching machine, in combination, a

plurality of differentially positionable punch carrying bars each provided with a slot receiving -a card and carrying opposite of said slot a single punch pin and provided with a cooperating die hole, an operating means for said punches comprising a punch operating bar and two pairs of hell cranks connected to said bar for depressing the bar equally at four positions, and an aligning bar carried by said punch operating bar for aligning the punch pin carrying bars when the punch operating bar is depressed.

"I. In a punching machine, in combination, a plurality of differentially positionable punch pin carrying bars, each provided with a slot receiving a card to be punched and carrying a single punch pin and provided with a cooperating die hole, a card feeding mechanism for feeding a card through said slotted bars to cooperate with said punch pins, an operating means for said punches comprising a punch operating bar and two pairs of bell cranks connected to said bar for depressing 'said bar equally at four positions, and a card stop carried by said operating bar and movable in the path of the card being fed to predetermine the extent of feeding of the card to be punched.

8. In a punching machine, a plurality of bars carrying punch pins for punching at predetermined positions on a card, a set cf normally contacting rollers, a reciprocable operating mea'iis, means connected to said operating means to rotate said rollers and to feed a card to said punches and to said set of rollers, means controlled by said operating means for separating the set of rollers to freely receive the leading edge of the card, means for operating the punch pins, and means for causing said rollers to contact with each other after the punching operation whereby said rollers driven by said operating means feed the punched card out of cooperation with said punch pins.

9. In a punching machine, punching mechanism, reciprocable operating means, card ejectin rollers driven reversely and then forwardly by said reciprocable operating means and normally in frictional contact, means operated by the reciprocable operating means to feed. a card to said punch mechanism and to said rollers and to cause-the operation of means to effect the separation of said card ejecting rollers to freely receive the card during their reverse rotation, and means effective after the punching operation to effect the frictional contact of said rollers whereby their forward rotation by said reciprocable operating means causes the feeding of the card from said punching mechanism.

10. In a punching machine, in combination, a

punching mechanism, card feeding rollers normally in contact with each other, means for rotating said rollers reverselyvand then forwardly, means for feeding a card to said punching mechanism' and to said card feeding rollers, means for separating said rollers to freely receive a card fed by said card feeding means when said rollers are rotated reversely, a card stop, means for positioning the card stop in the path of a card being fed to predetermine the extent that the card is fed to said rollers, and means for causing said rollers to contact with each other to eflect the feeding of the card from said punching mechanism as said rollers are rotated forwardly.

11. In a punching machine. a card feeding mechanism, a card punching mechanism, means for causing the card feeding mechanism to feed a series of cards from a supply hopper to said punching mechanism, means to feed a punched card from said punching mechanism to a storage hopper, an operating means for said card feeding mechanism, said card punching mechanism and both of said card feeding means, means comprising a plurality of card sensing devices arranged and constructed to determine whether, (1) a card is in said supply hopper (2) a card has been fed to the punching mechanism (3) punched cards have over-filled the storage magazine, a common locking means to lock said joperating means against operation, and means whereby each of said card sensing devices causes when any of the above conditions ensue the operation of the common locking means.

12. A control device for a card punching machine including a card punching mechanism, an operating means therefor, means for feeding punched cards from said punching mechanism to a storage hopper, a card sensing lever operated for each machine operation to contact with the top card in said storage hopper, a locking means for said operating means, a movable member having a resilient connection to said card sensing lever for movement therewith, said member having an invariable movement irrespective of blocking of said card sensing lever by cards in said magazine, and means rendered effective by a predetermined blocking of said card sensing lever for causing said member to render the locking means eflective.

13. In a punching machine, in combination, a punching mechanism, a plurality of sets of manipulative devices-for controlling means to cause the setting of said punching mechanism, an operating means for said punching-mechanism, a driving mechanism, manipulative means for causing a coupling of said driving mechanism and said operating means, interlocking means to prevent the operation of said manipulative means unless one of said sets of manipulative devices is operated, means for feeding a card from a supply hopper to said punching mechanism, and punched cards from said punching mechanism to a storage hopper, locking means for said manipulative means, means for controlling said locking means comprising a plurality of card feeling devices each one of which is arranged to coast with a card in said supply hopper, in said storage hopper and in said punching mechanism, means for causing one of said card feeling devices to effect the operation of the locking means when said supply hopper is empty, means for causing another of said card feeling devices to effect the operation of the locking means when said storage hopper is over-filled, and means for causing the remaining card feeling device to effect the operation of the locking means if a card is not fed to said punching mechanism.

FREDERICK L. FULLER. 

